Wood (A True Lover's Story #2) - A.E. Via Page 0,97
his head, digging his palms into his eyes. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“You were different when you came out of prison, T. I knew you’d maybe experienced something in there,” Bishop said more gently. “Not necessarily bad either. I prodded at the subject a couple times, but you’d always clam-up. So, I left you to it and just waited.”
“Did you know I’d like Wood also?” Trent asked sarcastically. “Since you know everything else.” He was only a little pissed that he’d never been able to deceive Bishop or Mike.
Shit… Mike.
“No. But I knew you wouldn’t dislike him.” Bishop smirked. “So yeah, I thought maybe you two would hit it off. Then when you lied to me to protect Wood after he relapsed, that’s when I was sure.”
“What?” Trent gaped.
“You know you suck at lying, T. And did you forget that I lived with Wood for five years? And in all that quality time we spent together, I never even saw this asshole get a runny nose, so I wasn’t buying the whole flu story,” Bishop said before lowering his voice.
“I know you like to think you run people away, Trent, but you don’t. I’m sorry the men you met were such cowards and didn’t stick around.” Bishop glanced in Wood’s direction. “I just wanted to introduce you to someone I knew who would.”
Trent realized he was nodding when he felt Wood’s calming hand in the center of his back.
Bishop comically scrubbed at his clenched eyes. “I had a theory you two would work, but I can’t say I was prepared to actually see it.”
Trent’s face felt warm, but he held his head up and met Wood’s eyes. He fought to hold in the emotion that was overtaking him. His brother trusted his judgment and no longer considered him a fuckup. Trusted him enough with a man he’d come to admire and respect. In that moment Trent swore to never let either of them down.
“I know, dude.” Bishop reached over and shoved Trent’s knee. “You got this.”
Trent scoffed. “Stop fuckin’ reading me.”
They laughed for a moment until Wood gripped him behind his neck and pulled him into his chest. Trent automatically went to Wood’s mouth that was curved in that sexy smile he loved.
“All right, enough of this mushy shit. Let’s get some food.” Bishop clapped his hands together. “But I do wanna hear about this first date y’all had.”
They ended up ordering two large pepperoni pizzas and watching reruns of Game of Thrones, trying to get Wood caught up. Trent kept the displays of affection to a minimum, and after a while it felt like just a few guys hanging out and having a good time. Trent had never been on a double date, but the thought of having more of these evenings made him feel all grown-up and mature.
“Let’s go check out that new Jason Statham movie next weekend,” Bishop said while he helped Edison into his coat. “I heard it’s really good.”
“I’m in,” Trent answered quickly, jumping at the idea of getting together again so soon. “We can get a bite after.”
“Yeah. Sounds good,” Wood added.
“Cool,” Bishop agreed, giving him and Wood a fist bump before he left with Edison tucked closely against his side.
Wood
Wood closed and locked the door after their company was gone. He turned off the lights in the living room and went into the kitchen to help Trent clean up. He had one hand clutching his lower back while he struggled to stack the dishes with the other. Wood came up behind him, moved his hands and slowly rotated Trent to face him. He wasn’t trying to hide his pain or pretend it wasn’t there.
“You got some more of those muscle relaxers?” Wood asked, rubbing the center of Trent’s back.
Trent grimaced. “Yeah. I get a month’s supply at a time. I think I’m gonna take a double dose and call it a night.”
“Good. You go on and take care of that—”
Trent clutched Wood’s bicep. “What are you going to do?”
“While you go lie down, I’m gonna finish taking out the trash.” Wood kissed Trent’s tense brow. “Then I’ma come to bed and rub you until you fall asleep.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Trent argued weakly.
“I know what I do and don’t have to do.” Wood began to usher a drowsy Trent toward his bedroom. “It’s been a lot of years since I gave a massage, but I think I still got the magic touch.”